The catering team at Bishop’s Stortford College have won a Gold CAP Award for the fourth year running – setting a new record for excellence.
After recently achieving top marks from East Herts Council for Food Hygiene, the College, with 1370 pupils, is now the first in the UK to claim the top prize for the highest quality food and service four years in a row from CAP.
The CAP (Continuing Advancement Programme) Awards recognise excellence in catering and are regarded as the highest measure of quality, best safe practices and service.
Inspectors were so impressed with the quality of food on offer to pupils that catering staff were told it was their best ever performance.
Ian Jackson, Managing Director of the CAP Awards, said the catering team were valued as key to the success of the wider school.
He said: “It’s clear that the school has made significant investments in catering, demonstrating the importance that they put on the food provided to the pupils.
The pupils themselves rated the food and the service very highly, which is as good an endorsement as you can get!
It’s no surprise that Bishop’s Stortford has become the first school in the UK to win the Gold CAP Award four times – it is thoroughly deserved.”
The inspectors were also hugely impressed that there were regular catering meetings being held with day pupils and boarders.
They also noted a calmness at service time and that care was taken when serving pupils. There was clear adoption of ‘best practices’ including management of COSSH and food storage.
Gary Law, Catering Manager, said “I am very proud of my team, they work very hard to provide an excellent service to the pupils and staff for 3 meals a day, 7 days a week”.
The College Headmaster, Jeremy Gladwin, said he was delighted with the two awards.
He said: “To receive recognition from the local authority by way of retaining our five star status, and to win a CAP Gold Award for the fourth successive year is stunning. It reflects superbly well on the dedication of our entire team, led by Gary Law, to the pupils and staff of the College.
Providing high quality food in a hygienic environment is a top priority for the College because we recognise the clear link between good nutrition, learning and wellbeing. Well done to the team.”